Fruit-gatherer&#39;s and painter&#39;s ladder.



Inventor Attorneys 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

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v B R I um W FRUIT GATHERBRS AND PAINTERS LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED 111111112 1911 W. R. IBBY. FRUIT GATHERERS ANDPAINTER'S LADDER.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 12, 1911. i 1,014,063. Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

Attorneys s sums-sum. 2.

W. R. IRBY.

.FRUIT GATHERERS AND PAIN TERS LADDER. APPLICATION PIL ED JUNE 12, 1911.

1,014,063, Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFTCE.

WILEY R. IRBY, OF WEST MIDDLETON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 JAMESMOULDER, OF WEST MIDDLETON, INDIANA.

FRUIT-GATHERER"S AND PAINTERS LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, \VILEY R. IRBY, a citizen of the United States,residing at West Middleton, in the county of Howard and State ofIndiana, have invented a new and useful Fruit-Gatherers and PaintersLadder, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application, is acollapsible ladder structure, the parts of which are adapted to beraised and lowered, to facilitate fruit picking, painting, and otherlike operations, performed at a considerable height above the ground.

The object of the present invention is to provide novel means forraising and lowering the ladder structure, and to provide means forcollapsing the same, and for housing the same compactly, when not inuse.

A further object of the invention is to improve, generally, devices ofthe class to which this application pertains, and to render them simpleand eflicient in operation, and safe in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope ofwhat is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings ;Figure 1 shows the invention in side elevation, theparts being in operative position; Fig. 2 is an end elevation; Fig. 3 isa fragmental top plan; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the seat and ofthe parts whereby the seat is assembled with the ladder, and Fig. 5 isan elevational detail, enlarged from Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a fragmentallongitudinal section.

In carrying out the invention there is provided a vehicle body 1,wheel-supported, as shown at 2. The vehicle body 1 may be of any desiredconstruction, the end in view being, to provide a vehicle upon which theladder structure, hereinafter described, may be readily transported fromplace to place.

The top structure upon which the device is mounted, consists of a frame3, connected with the vehicle body 1. The frame 3 may consist ofparallel side bars 4, connected by spaced, transverse braces 5, 6, 7 and8. The braces 5 and 6 may be united by tie bars 9, disposedsubstantially parallel to the side bars 4. Fixed to and rising from thebrace 5, is a pair of uprights 10, united by means of diagonal braces11, with the brace 7.

The invention further includes a tiltable support 12, operativelyconnected with the frame 3 for vertical swinging movement. This support12 consists of a pair of arms 14, united by a cross brace 15, the lowerends of the arms 14- being pivotally connected, as shown at 16, with thecross brace 6. The arms 14 of the tiltable support are equipped,adjacent their free ends, and in their inner faces, with guideways 17,in which is mounted for sliding movement, longitudinally of the support12, a cross head, denoted generally by the numeral 18. The cross head 18consists of a transverse bar 19 and angularly disposed feet 20, the endsof the bar 19 and the feet 20 registering slidably in the guideways 17in the support 12.

Fixed to and rising from the cross brace 15, is a standard 21, enlargedat its lower end, as shown at 22, to form a shoulder 23, adapted toreceive the bar 19 of the cross head 18, the standard 21 extendingthrough the bar 19, to serve as an auxiliary support for the cross head18, during the sliding movement thereof.

The invention further includes a ladder, denoted generally by thenumeral 24, the ladder 24 being pivotally connected, intermediate itsends, with the tiltable support 12. The ladder 24 consists of alinedprimary and secondary sections 25 and 26, respectively, the meeting endsof the sections 25 and 26 of the ladder 24 being united by hinges 27 theparts 25 and 26 being provided with depen ding butt-blocks 28, adaptedto maintain the parts 25 and 26 of the lad der in alinement. The stiles29 of the ladder 24 are preferably fashioned from angle members, and therungs 30 of the ladder, are engaged beneath one of the flanges of thestiles 29. Intermediate its ends, the primary part 25 of the ladder isequipped with a pair of outstanding arms 32, between which is disposed ahead 33, the head 33 being pivoted to the arms 32, as designated at 34.The end of the standard 21, which projects through the bar 19, projectslikewise through the head 33, to afford a pivotal mounting for the head,the head in its turn, resting upon the bar 19 of the cross head.

Adjacent its free end, the secondary portion 26 of the ladder 24 isprovided with outstanding bearing brackets 35, in which is pivoted aseat structure, comprising a plate 36, immediately engaged, pivotally,with the brackets 35, and a seat 37, secured to the plate Secured alsoto the plate 36, is a receptacle 38, of any desired construction, inwhich the fruit and the like may be placed. The seat structure ismounted in the bearing brackets 35, for tilting movement, and a pair ofretractile springs 39 are connected at their upper ends with the plate36, the lower ends of the springs 39 being connected with the stiles ofthe secondary portion 26 of the ladder.

Adjacent its free, rear end, the primary part 25 of the ladder 24 isequipped with brackets 40, in which are journaled for rotation sheaves41. Adjacent the point of pivotal union with the secondary part 26 ofthe ladder, the primary part 25 of the ladder is equipped withprojecting standards 42, in which are journaled for rotation, superposedsheaves denoted by the numerals 43 and 44. The secondary part 26 of theladder 24 is provided, intermediate its ends, with outwardly projectingstandards 45, in which are journaled for rotation, sheaves 46. The arms14 of the tiltable support 12 are supplied, adjacent their upper ends,with brackets 47 in which are journaled for rotation, sheaves 48.

' Extended transversely of the uprights 10, and journaled for rotationthereon, is a primary shaft 49 provided with a suitable crank 50, or thelike for its rotation, the movement of the primary shaft 49 beinglimited by suitable pawl and ratchet mechanism 51. Likewise journaledfor rotation upon the uprights 10, and disposed above the primary shaft49, is a supplemental shaft 52, having a crank or the like 53 for itsrotation, the rotation of the supplemental shaft 52 beinglimited bysuitable pawl and ratchet mechanism 54. Extended transversely of thearms 14 of the tiltable support 12, and journaled for rotation thereon,is-an auxiliary shaft 55, provided with a suitable crank 56, for itsrotation, the rotation of the auxiliary shaft 55 being controlled, bysuitable pawl and ratchet mechanism 57.

A pair of flexible elements 58 is provided, these flexible elements 58being connected at one end with the primary shaft 49. Thence, theflexible elements 58 are carried over the sheaves 41 which are locatedat the rear end of the primary part 25 of the ladder. These flexibleelements 58 are carried over the tops of the upper sheaves 43 which arecarried by the standards 42, the flexible elements being thence carriedacross the tops of the sheaves 46 which are journaled for rotation inthe brackets 45 of the secondary part 26 of the ladder. The forward endsof the flexible elements 58 are connected with the plate 36 of the seatstructure the flexible elements 58 being connected with the seat plate36, upon the opposite side of the pivotal connection of the seat plate,from which the springs 37 bear. The points of connection between theflexible elements 58 and the seat plate 36, are denoted by the numeral59. A pair of flexible elements 60 are connected with the supplementalshaft 52, these flexible elements being thence carried over the sheaves48 which are journaled for rotation in the brackets 47 upon the tiltablesupport 12, the flexible elements 60 being thence carried downwardly,into connection with the cross head 18, as denoted by the numeral 61. Apair of flexible elements 62 are connected with the auxiliary shaft 55,these flexible elements being thence carried over the upper runs of thelower sheaves'44 in the standards 42 upon the primary part 25 of theladder, these flexible elements being thence carried forwardly, acrossthe lower run of the sheaves 46 which are journaled in the standards 45upon the secondary part 25 of the ladder. The forward ends of theflexible elements 62, are connected with the stiles of the secondarypart 26 of the ladder, at a point slightly to the rear of the seatstructure 37.

When the device is not in use, the tiltable support 12 may be foldeddownwardly, until its arms 14 rest upon the cross brace 7, between thediagonal braces 11. The primary part 25 of the ladder 24, will rest uponthe tiltable support 12, and the secondary part 26 of the ladder m y befolded backwardly, upon the primary part 25.

Then it is desired to raise the ladder 24, the secondary part 26 isswung over,into approximate alinement with the primary part 25, theco-acting butt-blocks 28, constituting a means for preserving the ladderelements 25 and 26 in alined relation. When the supplemental shaft 52 isrotated, the flexible elements 60 will, simultaneously, move ,thetiltable support 12 into an upright position, and, at the same time,cause an elevation of the cross head 18 in the arms 14 of the support12. In a single operation, the tiltable support 12 will be swung into avertical position, and the entire ladder structure 24 will belifted'bodily. If, now, the primary shaft 49 be rotated, the flexibleelements 58 will serve toelevate the free end of the ladder 24, it beingnoted that, since the head 33 is pivotally. mounted between the arms 32,as shown at 34, the entire ladder structure 24 may be swung verticallyupon the cross head 18. The operation of the primary shaft 49,therefore, will serve to elevate the free end of the secondary portion26 of the ladder, the seat 37 being positioned at any desired height. Inthis connection it is to be noted that, since the flexible mem bers 58are connected with the pivotally mounted seat plate 37, in front of thepivotal mounting of the said seat plate, the operation of elevating thefree end of the secondary portion 26 of the ladder will also serve totilt the seat plate 36. Thus, when the free end of the portion 26 of theladder is elevated, the seat plate 36 will be maintained in anapproximately horizontal position, the springs 39 serving to offset thepull exercised upon the seat plate 86, by the flexible elements 58. Theoperation of the primary shaft 49 serves to tilt the ladder 24 as anentity, without altering the angle between the parts 25 and 26 of theladder,

these parts remaining in alinement when the primary shaft 49 isoperated. When it is desired to change the angle between the parts 25and 26, that is, to elevate the seatcarrying end of the secondary part26, the auxiliary shaft 55 may be rotated, the flexible elements 62serving to tilt the portion 26 of the ladder, until the said portionstands at an angle to the part 25. When the parts 25 and 26 are alined,the auxiliary shaft 55 may be rotated, to tighten up the flexibleelements 62, until these elements 62 coperate with the elements 58 inexercising a trussing function upon the ladder structure.

When it is desired to dispose the device in small compass, theprimary-shaft 49 may be manipulated, to permit the tiltable support 12to swing downwardly into engagement with the cross brace 7, theauxiliary shaft 59 may be manipulated to fold the portion 26 of theladder backwardly into overlapping relation upon the portion 25 of theladder, the primary shaft 49 being manipulated to reel in the elements58, and to dispose the free end of the primary part 25 of the ladder inclose relation to the supporting frame 3.

When the shaft 49 is rotated, the rope 58 will not merely tip thesection 26 on its hinge 27, instead of swinging the entire ladder aboutit pivot 33, for the reason that the standard 42 is so short that thevertical component of the pull of the rope 58 at its outer end, will beless than the downward pull due to the weight of the section 26.

The device is of simple construction, and may readily be manipulated, toextend and to elevate the ladder, or to fold up and to house the same,the operations above referred to taking place rapidly, and with aminimum expense of effort upon the part of the operator.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A device ofthe class described comprising a support; a ladder pivotally connectedintermediate its ends with the support, for

vertical swinging movement; a seat pivoted to the outer end of theladder; and means connected with the seat, for simultaneously tiltingthe seat and for raising and lowering the seat-carrying end of theladder.

'2. A device of the class described comprising a support; a ladderfulcrumed intermediate its ends upon the support; a seat pivotallyconnected with the ladder, adjacent the outer end thereof; meansconnected with the seat for simultaneously tilting the seat, and forraising and lowering the seatcarrying end of the ladder; and a springdevice engaged with the seat, to oppose the action of said means.

3. A device of the class described comprising a support; a ladderpivoted intermediate its ends upon the support, for vertical swingingmovement; a seat pivotally supported upon the ladder, adjacent the outerend thereof; a spring uniting the seat with the ladder, upon one side ofthe pivotal mounting of the seat; a flexible element connected with theseat, upon the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of the seat, theflexible element being carried longitudinally of the ladder and engagedin its intermediate portion with the ladder; and means for operating theflexible element, to effect a simultaneous tilting of the seat, and araising and lowering of the seat-carrying end of the ladder.

4. A device of the class described comprising a frame; a support hingedto the frame for vertical swinging movement; a ladder pivotedintermediate its ends upon the support; means for raising and loweringthe support; and means for tilting the ladder upon the support.

5. A device of the class described comprising a frame; a support pivotedto the frame for vertical swinging movement; a ladder comprisinghingedly connected parts, one of which parts is pivotally connect-edwith the support for vertical swinging movement thereon; means forraising and lowering the support; means for folding one of said laddermembers upon the other of said members; and means for tilting the ladderupon the support.

6. A device of the class described comprising a frame; a support pivotedto the frame for vertical swinging movement; a cross head slidable inthe support longitudinally of the same; a ladder pivoted intermediateits ends upon the cross head; and means connected with the cross headfor simultaneously moving the cross head in the support, and forelevating the support with respect to the frame.

7. A device of the class described comprising a frame; a support pivotedto the frame for vertical swinging movement; a cross head slidable inthe support, longitudinally of the same; a ladder pivoted intermediateits ends upon the cross head; a sheave upon the support; a flexibleelement trained about the sheave and engaged with the cross head; andmeans for operating the flexible element, to secure a simultaneoustilting of the support and a sliding movement of the cross head in thesupport.

8. A device of the class described comprising a frame; a support pivotedto the frame for vertical swinging movement; a cross head slidable inthe support; a standard fixed to and rising from the support, andextended through the cross head; a ladder; a movable member upon theladder, through which member the standard extends; and means forsimultaneously tilting the support and for raising and lowering thecross head.

9. A device of the class described comprising a frame; a support pivotedto the frame for vertical swinging movement; a ladder connected with thesupport for tilting movement with respect to the support, and formovement longitudinally of the support; and means for simultaneouslyelevating the support and for moving the ladder longitudinally of thesupport.

10. A device of the class described comprising a sub-structure; asupport pivoted thereto for vertical swinging movement; a ladderconsisting of hingedly connected primary and secondary parts, theprimary part being pivotally connected, intermediate its ends, with thesupport; primary and supplemental shafts ournaled for rotation upon thesub-structure; an auxiliary shaft journaled for rotation upon thesupport; a flexible element secured at one end to the free end of thesecondary part of the ladder, and extended anti-frictionally over theprimary part of the ladder, adjacent its free end, into engagement withthe primary shaft; a flexible element connected with the secondary partof the ladder, adjacent its Copies of this patent may be obtained forfive cents each, by addressing the free end, the flexible element beingoperatively connected with the auxiliary shaft; both of said flexibleelements being antifrictionally supported, in their intermediateportions, upon the primary part of the ladder; and a flexible elementconnected with the supplemental shaft, and with the support, to effect araising and lowering of the support.

11. A device of the class described comprising a sub-structure a supportpivoted thereto for vertical swlnging movement; a

cross head slidable in the support; a ladder consisting of hingedlyconnected primary and secondary parts, the primary part being pivotallyconnected, intermediate its ends, with the cross head; primary andsupplemental shafts journaled for rotation upon the sub-structure; anauxiliary shaft journaled for rotation upon the support; a flexibleelement secured at one end to the secondary part of the ladder, adjacentthe free end thereof, said flexible element being extendedanti-frictionally over the primary part of the ladder, adjacent its freeend, into engagement with the primary shaft; a flexible element securedto the secondary part of the ladder, adjacent the free end thereof, saidflexible element being operatively connected with the auxiliary shaft;both of said flexible elements being antifrictionally supported, intheir intermediate portions, by the primary part of the ladder; and aflexible element connected with the cross head, and extendedanti-frictionally over the support, into engagement with thesupplemental shaft. 7

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILEY R. IRBY.

Witnesses:

M. J. RAYL, R. T. HACKER.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

